The Importance of Appointment Scheduling With Tekmetric Auto Repair Software

A lot of auto shops don’t use an appointment scheduling system; instead, they operate on a first come first serve basis. Advanced scheduling using auto repair software can have a positive impact on shop operations and enhance efficiency of your overall business processes. The most destructive method for a business is to work in reactive mode as opposed to proactive. Additionally, software will allow technicians to take more information about repair and maintenance requirements apart from just the time and date of the appointment. Here is how effective appointment scheduling can benefit your auto repair store.

Resource planning

Resource planning is improved when repair requirements are identified at the point of scheduling the appointment. For example, if there is only one mechanic who is qualified to fix gearboxes, it wouldn’t be a good idea to keep taking walk in appointments for gearbox repairs. Auto repair software will give you access to the schedules of all technicians which allows you to be strategic in the booking process.

Parts procurement

The required parts for the job can also be identified when appointments are processed. For example, when a customer calls and books an appointment and all repair requirements are taken over the phone, parts can be ordered before the vehicle arrives, instead of ordering them when the vehicle is delivered. This speeds up the repair process and makes the difference between the customer getting their vehicle back within one week or three, while you wait for the parts to be delivered.

Capacity Loading

What typically happens when there is a first come first served system in operation, is that shops are often overbooked and overworked. This leads to a terrible snowball effect because customers are often left waiting for weeks before getting their vehicle back. This becomes frustrating to customers and you end up losing them. Auto repair software allows technicians to see what jobs have already been booked to ensure that no overloading takes place.

Customer check in

When appointments are booked over the phone, all information about the vehicle and what is required has already been documented. When the vehicle arrives, all that is required is that a copy of the vehicle registration number is captured, and the keys are handed over.

Auto shop software is the most effective way to schedule appointments as well as streamline other business processes. Although the aim of software is to improve your auto shop, if you get stuck with the wrong system, it can cause you more harm than good. Before you make a financial investment, it is essential that you do your research. The first step should be to analyse your business requirements so that when you start searching for software, you will know what you are looking for.

It is also a good idea to choose a software company that offers a free trial, this will give you the opportunity to make sure that the benefits outweigh the cost. Tekmetric is offering a free trial for the rest of 2018, you won’t have to sign a contract, and there are no hidden fees. At the end of the year, if you decide that the software is not for you, there is no cancellation fee for opting out.